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Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Rumors of Mikulski to Head HHS Spread

Maryland’s very own Senator Barbara Mikulski is rumored to be in the running for Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). While we are disappointed to see the very well qualified Senator Tom Daschle withdraw himself from consideration for the position, the buzz on Capitol Hill about who will head the department now includes Maryland’s amazing Senator Mikulski. Mikulski, one of many skilled and experienced candidates for the position, would be a secretary for pro-choicers everywhere to cheer about. A member of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, Mikulski is firmly pro-choice and has a long history in the Senate of fighting for women’s health issues.

Mikulski has voted against putting teens at risk with harmful parental involvement measures, voted against banning safe abortion procedures, and has rejected unfair bans on abortion care for military women. Mikulski also voted to increase funding for sex education and family planning and has worked throughout her political career to make health care coverage more equitable, especially for low-income women. Senator Mikulski has earned a 100% pro-choice rating from NARAL Pro-Choice America.

HHS works to protect and assist Americans with health-related services. Agencies within HHS include the Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Whoever becomes Secretary of HHS will greatly impact women’s health care issues in the years to come as policymakers grapple with both the economy and health care reform.

Senator Mikulski would be a wonderful choice out of the many capable and qualified contenders to head up Health and Human Services. Check out the Baltimore Sun’s politics blog, MD Politics at: http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/news/local/politics/2009/02/mikulski_for_hhs.html for more information.